Overview

This is a teacher-guided activity to be done on-site at the fort. Students will learn about the fort's construction and history. Plentiful photographs and a fort map will assist teachers in leading this tour through the fort.

Objective(s)

At the end of this activity, students will be able to:
1) Explain the significance of Fort Pulaski in the Civil War.
2) Explain teh importance of Fort Pulaski to Savannah in the Civil War.
3) Explain the role of new technology in the quick surrender of Fort Pulaski.

Background

Fort Pulaski guarded the mouth of the Savannah River to prevent enemy ships from attacking the city. The fort was considered to be invincible when it was finished in 1847, and it was built with many advanced features. But by the time of the Civil War in 1861, new cannons had been developed. The fort's strong brick walls were no match for the new cannons. The Confederates defending the fort surrendered to the attacking Union forces in less than two days.

Procedure

The lesson plan includes information you can share with your students at each stop.

Follow the lesson plan to each of the stops in the fort. The lesson plan includes a fort map to guide you through the activity.

Assessment

Each stop of the tour includes a question for teachers to ask the students. Correct answers adn subsequent discussion will allow teachers to assess students' learning.

Park Connections

The lesson plan is designed to take place on site, using tangible park resources.

Vocabulary

Casemate--a strongly built room designed to hold a cannon.Magazine--a roomdesigned to hold gunpowder and ammunition.Parade ground--a large, flat grassy area where soldiers practiced marching and loading their weapons.